After a few years of pottering around London very happily on my now deceased CB500 it's time for me to move out to the country.

This means I will now need a bike that can handle a daily 100 mile commute on primarily motorway and A roads in all conditions

My priorities are 1) Must be fuel efficient with a decent tank size. 2) Comfortable - I'm not going to be 'racing' into work. 3) Capable of carrying a little luggage (change of clothes, wet clothing etc).

I'll be buying second hand initially to get the hang of the increased mileage with the view of upgrading in a few years time and have a decent budget to cover most options.

I've seen a few posts on a similar subject, but nothing too recent, so any suggestions welcome.

I really don't have a short list at all at the moment. I think my biggest restriction is going to be the fuel economy. I need something that will at least compete with the most fuel efficient car. I thought this would be easy, but looking into the figures this isn't necessarily the case..... but of course this could be as much down to the way the bike is being used as the type of engine I guess. I would be looking to get 60mpg out of it though.

I wouldn't be after a sports bike and can't justify an adventure bike on the M23!

Budget wise I suppose I would be looking up to £5000. Reasonable enough?

Sorry to be so vague, but am hoping some of the replies here will help narrow down my search.

**Look at the older **
shape Suzuki V-Strom 650. Comfortable, economical some weather protection, some luggage capacity and capable of going all day should you want. Mine will be for sale shortly 09 for around 3K with 26K miles on. Not because its mine, they are an excellent machine,capable of almost anything. I've done a track day, toured and been on group rides as well as my own general riding.

This is always a difficult question to answer, because we all want different things out of a bike.

I currently do a similar commute (about 140 miles round trip per day, plus any milage I do during the day between sites). For me, a big BMW Adventure bike (R1100GS, R1200GS?) is ideal. The fuel economy is far from what you are looking for, but having tried smaller bikes (F650CS, Funduro etc. over the years I find the added comfort and the fun factor of the bigger bike is worth the extra running costs (and when we have big winds, the extra weight is worth having).

Try a few bikes out and find what fits you best, comfort is important, otherwise you'll just find reasons not to ride it.

I bought mine specifically for commuting 150 miles a day all year round covering M/way A and B roads.

Avg 62mpg over 20k covered in one year, shaft drive, great weather protection. Frequently filter even with wide pannier lids - if the mirrors go through, so does the rest. Cheap to insure and maintain.

My ER6n
Does just that, 100 mile commute, cuts through traffic and blasts up the motorway no problem. Screen, heated grips and handguards help weather protection.

The Honda NC700X looks like a winner, though not as fun when you get the chance to have some. The BMW F800GT would be the one to go for if you have the budget. Beltdrive and touring ability built in, perfect for a 100 mile commute.

The Deauville, as others have suggested, would be a great choice. Not least of all because it has shaft drive. It is a far better bike than it's reputation or the comments made about it would suggest. The NC700 would be better on fuel than the Deauville but does not have the advantage of shaft drive.